Response to the School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” (John 14:27). Gracious God, news of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, has ripped our hearts and torn our souls. We are walking through the valley of the shadow of death. In the depths of pain and anger, we come before you, O God, our rock and our refuge. You are our only comfort. You are our only hope. Merciful God, you know the depth of our suffering. We have only begun to mourn those we have lost. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America grieves with the families of the 19 students and two teachers killed in Tuesday’s mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Mass shootings in this country over the past two weeks have deepened the wounds of grief and sorrow. This follows the racially motivated shooting of 10 people in Buffalo, N.Y.; the shooting in Laguna Woods, Calif.; and the 27 other school shootings that have occurred in 2022. Many of the shooters have targeted children and older adults — some of the most vulnerable in our society. We reaffirm our commitment in calling for greater gun safety, including preventing easy access to assault-style weapons and strengthening our federal system of background checks for all gun sales. As people of faith, we hold on to our belief in caring for our neighbors and striving for justice and peace in all the earth. We ask for continued support for all first responders that arrive at a moment’s notice and place their lives in harm’s way for the sake of others. We ask for continued support for those providing medical, mental and emotional support as we grieve over this tragedy. We lament for those who have perpetrated violence against others. We thank the leaders of the Southwestern Texas Synod responding to the shooting in Uvalde and for ecumenical and interreligious partners committed to accompanying this community for the long term. The ELCA social message “Community Violence” (1994) calls on our church to continue partnering with other religious and community groups in anti-violence initiatives that offer vital spiritual and moral resources, and that replace the fear and violence plaguing our homes, schools, communities and nation with hope and reconciliation. We join with others in pushing to stem the proliferation of guns in our streets, schools and communities, and to end the culture of violence that pervades our media and society. https://www.elca.org/News-and-Events/8146 Dear FIU family, Our nation is once again in mourning, after 19 children and two teachers became the latest victims of another senseless act of gun violence. These students and their teachers, all members of the Robb Elementary School family in Uvalde, Texas, lost their lives just 10 days after an equally tragic mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York. During this moment of deep pain, confusion and outrage, our hearts are with the families and friends of the victims, as well as the entire Uvalde community. We also hold in our hearts the memory of those killed in the school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in nearby Parkland, among others. The Parkland shooting, in particular, hit close to home for many of us here at FIU. Tuesday’s shooting brings back horrible memories for so many in our community, who need to know they are not alone. As always, our university is here to help anyone who feels affected by this incident, or in need of any kind of support. FIU Student Health & Wellness offers several avenues of support, including our Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Their number is 305-348-2277. Faculty and staff resources are available through FIU’s Office of Employee Assistance (OEA) at 305-348-2469 or via email at . In addition, our own professor of psychology and psychiatry Jonathan Comer has shared tips for parents and caregivers who are helping children cope during moments of tragedy. This is, without a doubt, a very sad and tragic moment for our nation. As individuals and as members of our communities, let us identify and support reasonable and effective solutions that promote peace and safety in our schools, our workplaces, our houses of worship, and our communities. Sincerely, Kenneth A. Jessell Interim President |
Our hearts are with uvalde texas
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